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CAD 100 (Rookie)

CAD 100 is the entry path for students with little or no CAD experience. You pass when you can build a simple part, assemble COTS hardware, and release a drawing + DXF that a mentor can fabricate from.

Prereqs: none. Estimated time: 6-10 hours across 1 week.

Required reading

Tooling setup (do this once)​

  1. Sign in to Onshape and confirm you can access the team workspace.
  2. Set units to inch: account menu -> Preferences -> Units -> Inch.
  3. Open MKCAD and star the document so it is easy to find from Insert.
  4. Create one training document named 2026-Training-<YourName>-CAD100.

Exercise 1 - Model a gusset plate (Part Studio)​

Goal: create a simple plate that could be laser cut.

Steps

  1. In your training document, rename Part Studio 1 to PS-Training-Gusset.
  2. Click Sketch and select the Front plane.
  3. Use Line to draw a right triangle. Fully define it with dimensions:
    • Base: 3.00 in
    • Height: 3.00 in
  4. Add three mounting holes using circles near each corner:
    • Hole diameter: 0.201 in (#10 clearance)
    • Edge distance: 0.50 in from each adjacent side
  5. Finish sketch, click Extrude, set thickness to 0.125 in, operation New.
  6. Rename the part to Gusset_CAD100 in the parts list.
  7. Right-click the part -> Assign material -> Aluminum 6061.
  8. Verify mass properties are non-zero.

Pass criteria

  • Sketch is fully constrained (no blue geometry).
  • Material is assigned correctly.
  • Part name and dimensions match the spec.

Exercise 2 - Assemble a bearing block with COTS parts​

Goal: practice MKCAD insert and mate workflow.

Steps

  1. Add a new Part Studio and rename it PS-Training-BearingBlock.
  2. Create a block:
    • Sketch rectangle: 2.00 in x 1.50 in
    • Extrude thickness: 1.00 in
  3. Add one center bore for a bearing:
    • Diameter: 1.125 in
  4. Add two mounting holes:
    • Diameter: 0.201 in
    • Hole spacing: 1.25 in center-to-center
  5. Assign Aluminum 6061 material.
  6. Add an Assembly tab named ASM-Training-BearingBlock.
  7. Click Insert and place your bearing block.
  8. Click Insert again -> Other documents -> search MKCAD for:
    • One flanged hex/round bearing that matches your bore
    • Two #10 bolts (or equivalent hardware)
  9. Apply mates:
    • Fastened mate for bearing to block
    • Fastened mate for each bolt to block
  10. Run Interference detection and confirm no collisions.

Pass criteria

  • Assembly contains at least 1 custom part + 2 COTS parts.
  • All components are fully mated (no floating hardware).
  • Interference check is clean or documented if intentional.

Exercise 3 - Drawing and DXF export​

Goal: produce a release-ready beginner drawing package.

Steps

  1. Open PS-Training-Gusset and right-click Gusset_CAD100 -> Create drawing of....
  2. Use an ANSI template (A or B size) in inches.
  3. Place front, top, and isometric views.
  4. Add dimensions for:
    • Overall plate size
    • Hole diameters
    • Hole locations from datums
    • Thickness
  5. Fill title block fields (part name, date, author, revision A).
  6. Export drawing tab as PDF.
  7. Export a DXF:
    • Open the sketch used for the gusset profile.
    • Right-click the sketch in feature list -> Export as DXF/DWG.
    • Units = inch.

Pass criteria

  • Drawing is readable and fully dimensioned.
  • Title block is complete.
  • PDF and DXF both export without errors.

Mentor sign-off rubric​

  • Geometry quality: fully constrained sketches, clean feature tree.
  • CAD standards: naming, materials, and clear datums.
  • Assembly basics: correct COTS insertion and mate usage.
  • Release basics: readable drawing and valid exports.

Checklist​

  • Exercise 1 complete and reviewed
  • Exercise 2 complete and reviewed
  • Exercise 3 complete and reviewed
  • Mentor sign-off recorded

Evidence to attach​

  • Onshape document link (2026-Training-<YourName>-CAD100)
  • Drawing PDF
  • Gusset DXF export
  • One screenshot of assembly mates/interference check

Graduation gate to CAD 200​

You can start CAD 200 only after all three exercises pass mentor review.